via USA Today |
Late Oakland Raiders Owner, Al Davis, said it best, “just win baby”. Last night the Knicks did just that, getting a much needed home win
against the Pistons. It wasn’t the prettiest win in the world, but it got the
job done.
You aren’t awarded style points in this league, just wins and losses.
Carmelo Anthony proved for a fourth straight game that he is the leader of this
team. Without the Knicks only real rebounder, Tyson Chandler, they were able to hold
off the big front line of the Pistons. When those tough minutes reared their
ugly head late in the fourth Anthony kept his team’s head above water. He hit
the big shot, made the big stop and grabbed the game sealing rebound. That’s
what Melo was brought here to do. When Dolan gutted his nucleus to get him from Denver it was with the expectation that he could be the man that leads New
York out of basketball irrelevancy. Last night was a reminder of that potential.
Tomorrow night is the ultimate litmus test for Anthony
and his squad. LeBron James and the Miami Heat come to town and all bets are
off when someone with James’ stature comes to the Mecca. If the Knicks do not come
out crisp, James and the Heat will laugh their way to a blowout victory. Melo has quietly played well against James
throughout his career going 10-7 against the King in the regular season. If
Chandler is a no go once again Kenyon Martin and Anthony will have to pick up the
slack on the interior. On the perimeter J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert have to get going in
The Garden. The duo shot a combined 4-14 last night. Shumpert, coming off a hot
streak in Texas was unable to recreate a similar shooting performance, but
still managed to make an impact in the game. J.R. on the other side is still
struggling shooting the rock, but has also taken notice of his slump and
reduced his shot attempts.
The recipe for a Knicks victory is simple, hit threes and
control the glass. The Knicks will not win if Anthony is the only person
scoring. The second leading scorer last night was Andrea Bargnani with 13
points. That’s not going to cut it against the defending champs. Coach Woodson
is going to have to mix it up (FOR ONCE) and will need to go back to the rotation he used in Texas. giving Torre Murry and Tim Hardaway Jr. at least 15 minutes. Murry only played
five minutes on Tuesday comared to Raymond Felton's 30. Felton played well last
night, but the only thing he can stay in front of is a refrigerator.
Quick-footed guards blow by Felton with such ease it’s a joke. Woodson needs to
give Murry those minutes, let him slow down those quick Miami guards and force
them to beat you shooting jump shots. The Knicks have given us a reason to
believe in 2014 and tomorrow night will show us if this turn around is real or just a smoke screen.
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